Syrian-Iranian Business Forum discusses the difficulties facing economic and trade cooperation

Damascus (ST): Participants in the Syrian-Iranian Business Forum on Tuesday discussed the difficulties facing economic and commercial cooperation between businessmen in the two countries in the light of the unfair measures imposed on them. They also discussed proposals that would facilitate the work of the private sector, encourage investment and establish partnerships to upgrade the level of economic and trade relations between the two countries.

During the forum, that was held at the Sheraton Hotel in Damascus,  the head of the Syrian-Iranian Chamber of Commerce Fahd Darwish gave an extensive presentation that included a set of proposals that focused on the necessity of activating the Syrian-Iranian free trade agreement so that it plays its role without obstacles, working to solve the problem of money transfers, establishing investment  companies in the areas of commercial, industrial, health, pharmaceutical and agricultural cooperation and encouraging Iranian construction companies to work in Syria.

The Minister of Economy and Foreign Trade Muhammad Samer Al-Khalil indicated during his intervention that the forum constitutes an important opportunity for representatives of the business sector to get acquainted with the obstacles to developing trade and investment relations and to learn about the legal environment that helps to enhance cooperation between the two countries, especially with the common desire of both sides to improve relations in the government and private sectors.

Minister Al-Khalil indicated that there is a committee studying amendments to reduce customs duties, and a draft agreement for dealing in local currencies, barter and transit. Noting that everything that would push bilateral relations forward is being studied.

Iranian Minister of Roads and Cities Construction Mehrdad Bazar Bash, Chairman of the Joint Syrian-Iranian Economic Committee on the Iranian side, underlined the importance of economic expansion in all fields and the development of plans and programs to facilitate this, especially since there are many agreements signed between the two countries.

In his intervention, Ammar Dalloul, Treasurer  of the Syrian-Iranian Joint Chamber of Commerce indicated the need to find an alternative mechanism for financial transfer between the two countries to facilitate trade deals between Syrian and Iranian businessmen and benefit from the Russian-Iranian experience in this field.

K.Q.